Damn dealer! Wheel detached after collecting car!!

[adliz]

Guys,

I've recently sent my car for repairs and servicing at a BMW authorized dealer. Works involved taking out the differential and putting them back on, and brake fluid change.

After collecting the car, around 10km from the wshop, there was a strong juddering from the rear, i suspected it was the diff or something, before i could even slow down and move to the emergency lane, there was a loud thump and i thought the car fell apart or something!!! I could then see a familiar looking CSL wheel flying past my car for at least 50 metres!! *%#&@(*!!

Now the dealer is claiming they didn't take out the wheel, hence implying that they are not responsible for this incident. None of the bolts were found, but definitely they were not broken by looking at the hub.

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/adam_muza/15112008054.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/adam_muza/15112008053.jpg

http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m6/adam_muza/asasa.jpg

I keep on wondering what if i ended up in the wall? what if my wife was driving with my kids? even the tire could have hit a pedestrian or motorcyclist!

I'm now considering engaging a lawyer to insist on a replacement car, or get an extended warranty. They did mention about me going to track and what if the arm got bent, or bushes need changing.. what?!

BMW AG keeps on referring my case to the local BMW office. What do you guys recommend?

[Andyk]

:smt103 :smt103 :smt103 :smt103 Bloody Hell....You are right to get the Lawyers involved in that one. I would have imagine that it the car was service the dealer would have test drove it and felt that something was wrong.

Can not believe they are not taking the blame for this one. :wanker:

Good luck and keep us informed of your progress.

[sailorbaz]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune and as mentioned above, I can't believe they are claiming to not have removed a wheel...even after replacing the Diff??? Wise up, of course they had the wheel off.

Anyone? Can you remove a diff without removing the wheels? I'd imagine it would just make life difficult.

Get the lawyers involved yes, for sure. There might even be someone on here that deals with those kinds of claims.

I was only reading on another Forum about a guy who had new wheels put on, (CSL Reps) and he rolled up to a set of traffic lights and that same wheel as yours come off. Had the car recovered, and the garage that done the work were getting the car repaired (I think) and this happened..

http://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2132

I can't find the original post of the car on its backside at the traffic lights as it might have been removed for legal reasons.

Good luck with your situation anyway, keep us posted!

[dave1]

eek! this is why i dont trust anyone to fix my gear had a front tyre put on a bike years ago and they did,nt tighten the front caliper bolts turn's you cold when you think what could of happened

[NZ_M3]

I do believe that you don't need to take the wheels off to do a diff change.

However I'd like to see how they can bleed the multi-piston Brembos in the rear WITHOUT taking the rear wheels off. (get them to show you how they can do it without taking the rear wheels off - I'd think they would struggle)

Sorry for what happened to you - this is the reason why I only have 3 guys that I trust to work on my CSL ... one person is me .. and the 2 others are senior techs (one moonlights for numerous race teams here) at my dealership. No one else touches my car.

[SMD]

Even if they did not remove the wheel to do the diff change i would have thought they would have checked the wheel nuts! :whistle:

I know i would have done!

[E46ACS]

They (dealer) are just trying it on!!!

Keep fighting them and get the lawyers in play. The dealer will soon rectify the problem.

[cslgirl]

That is an awful thing to happen to you!! Like you say, lucky nobody was hurt. Hope it get's sorted out ok!

[bryce]

Jesus! Thats a bad one, sorry to hear about this.

I think your first step would be to find out what the procedure is for changing the diff, to see if they take the wheel off during this. If it was a warranty job then there should be a process somewhere on how the BMW dealer performs a differential change. If it wasnt a warranty job, and they can physically change it without removing wheels you may have issues.

NZ_M3 makes a good point about the brakes. I wonder if its possible to bleed them without removing a wheel though. ie If the car was on a lift and the nipple points inwards.

I hope you get this sorted, as it genuinely seems to be the dealers fault.

Keep us updated.

ps. Car looks great w/ orange wheels :)